Mail-carrier&#39;s key case



May 13, 1924. 1,493,805

- P. J. CHITWCOD MAIL CARRIERS KEY CASE 51 Filed Feb, 12, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet l avwmdoz F. J'Liv/rwoazr witneao J n May 13 1924.

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P. J. CHITWOOD MAIL CARRIERS KEYCASE Filed Feb. 12, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet} Witmaoa Patented May 13, 1924.

Er orr es.

PAUL J. CHITWOOID, OF DALLAS, TEXAS.

MAIL-CARRIERS KEY CASE.

Application filed February 12, 1923. Serial No. 618,531.

a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in cabinets containing a plurality of receptacles and the present disclosure is directed more particularly to a simple and compact cabinet for use in post oi'lices, provided with a plurality of separate receptacles for holding the mail carriers keys when not in use.

One object of the invention is to provide a device of the character set forth in which the individual receptacles for the keys are conspicuously identified by displaying the carriersfiiuinbers and the numbers of their keys so that there is practically no danger of placing the keys in the wrong receptacles, or of one carrier accidentally removing the keys of another.

A further object is to provide a device of the class set forth, in which the key receptacles are provided with individual actuators accessible at the front of the case or cabinet, permitting quick and easy opening of any receptacle for the purpose of depositing or. removing the keys.

Another object is to divide the cabinet or casing into a plurality of separate compartments by vertical and horizontal partition plates, to so associate these plates that those extending vertically hold the horizontal plates in position, and to provide rods which extend through the cabinet and through the vertical plates to retain the latter in place and at the same time form means for pivotally supporting the receptacles which are disposed in the compartments.

Yet another object is to provide a re ceptacle of unique form which may be I formed from a single sheet metal plate, but it will be understoodthat they could also cheaply and easily constructed from a single piece of sheet metal.

A still further object is to form the cabinet or casing of two like sections hinged together with open front sides adapted to fold toward eachother when the two casing sections are closed, provision'being made for holding these sections in contact with each other so that the entire casing, or cabinet may be compactly stored over night,-for instance in the safe.

With the foregoing and minor objects in view, the invention resides in the novel subject matter hereinafter described and claimed, the description being supplemented by the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a front elevation of .a key case constructed in accordance with my invention, showing the two sections of the casing opened to expose the receptacles and their actuators.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the case closed in readiness for storing. Y

Figure 3 is an enlarged front elevation showing two of the key receptacles in open position.

Figures 1, 5 and 6'are sectional views as indicated by the lines 44, 5-5 and 6-6 respectively of Fig. 3.

Figures 7 and 8 are vertical sectional views as indicated by lines 77 and 88 of Fig. 6.

Figures 9 and 10 are detail perspective views showing the manner of connecting the vertical and horizontal plates.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of one of the receptacles.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of one of the receptacle actuators.

In the form of construction selected for illustration in the present application, the numerals 1 designate two like cabinet or casing sections which are hinged together as indicated at 2, so that they may either be opened as disclosed in Fig. 1 or folded I in the usual post oflice safe.

.Each of the casing sections 1 is preferably be formed of wood if desired. Furthermore, it is not essential in all cases that the cabinet or casing be formed of two sections,

as in post offices where the space is not limtheir width and the metal from these slots is stamped inwardly ,to provide parallel flanges 8 which receive vertical partition plates 9 therebetween, these partition plates being slotted as indicated at 10 to receive portions of the horizontal plate 6. The metal from the slots 10 is preferably bent outwardly to form flanges 11 upon which the plate 6 rests. Pairs of rods 12 and 13, in vertically spaced relation, extend throughout the length of the casing sections and pass through alined openings in the end walls thereof and the vertical partition plates 9. The arrangement is such that the rods hold the plates 9 in the casing and these plates. in turn hold the horizontal plates. These rods also form pivotal supports for the key receptacles and their actuators, as will be hereinafter described.

While this construction will probably be understood from the drawings, it may be well to explain that the slotslO in the vertical plates 9 are only at their intermediate portionsand thatthe ends of said plates 9 hav shoulders 1 1 abutting the inner end walls of the slots '7 of the upper and lower plates 4 and 5, for the purpose of holding these last named plates in position within the casing sections.

Pivotally mounted upon the, rods 12 and disposed one within each of the compartments between the vertical and horizontal plates, are a plurality of key receptacles 15, while actuators 16 for opening said receptacles are pivoted upon the rods 13, with their front ends easily accessible. By downwardly tilting these front ends of the actuators 16, their rear ends force upwardly upon the bottoms of the receptacles 15 and consequently the latter are swung forwardly and downwardly to open positions, as disclosed for instance in Figs. 3, 4 and 5.

Each receptable 15 is preferably bent from a single sheet metal blank and comprises a bottom 17, a front wall 18 bent upwardly from said bottom, a pair of substantially triangular side walls 19 bent rearwardly frointhe vertical edges of the front wall 18, a front pair of ears 20 depending from the side walls 19, and a rear pair of ears 21 bent inwardly into contact with the lower side ofth bottom 17, these ears 21 being secured to the bottom by rivets or the like 22. The cars 20 are formed with openings receiving the rod 12 to'pivotally mount the receptacle and to limit the closing movement thereof, I prefer that its front wall 18 shall extend slightly above the side walls 19 to strike one of a plurality of stop flanges 23 bent downwardly from the plates 4 and 6.

As disclosed more clearly in Figs. 5 and 12, each actuator 16 is preferably formed of an elongated metal plate having oppositely extending arms which are bent to form cylindrical bearings 24 which receive and are rockable upon the rods 13.

The front wall of each of the receptacles 15-above described, preferably displays the number of the carrier for whose use this receptacle is intended and furthermore, the number of the carriers keys are also displayed. This insures that each carrier shall deposit his keys in the proper receptacle and that he shall not accidentally remove someone elses keys. Furthermore, this arrangement is of advantage in permitting the superintendent of the post office to check over the keys whenever necessary.

By employing a construction such as that disclosed or a substantial equivalent thereof, a-device is provided which will be of great advantage. The device insures instant delivery of the keys to the proper carriers without the usual confusion, insures that the keys shall be properly redeposited in their respective receptacles, is simple and durable, and will occupy a. comparatively small amount of space, particularly when the device is formed of two hingedly connected sections. When this construction is employed and the sections are secured together, the front sides of the receptacles in one casing section abut the sides of those in'the other section, and consequently all of the receptacles are held against opening, even if the device is tilted or entirely inverted in handling.

- While the construction shown may be followed, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and that within the scope of the invention as claimed, numerous changes may be made. Furthermore, it will be clear that some features of my invention are not necessarily restricted to use in connection with key cases, as they may well be employed for other purposes.

I claim:

1. A device of. the class described comprising a cabinet, a plurality of receptacles pivotally mounted in said cabinet for forward swinging opening movement, said cabinet being provided below said receptacles with open spaces, and a plurality of actuators for said receptacles mounted in said open" spaces and accessible from the well front of said cabinet to be manually operated, one of said actuators being provided for each of said receptacles.

2. A device of the class described comprising a cabinet, a receptacle pivoted therein for forward and downward swinging, an actuator for tilting said receptacle outwardly, and means pivotally mounting said actuator in said cabinet under said receptacle and upon a pivot which is independent of the pivot for said receptacle.

3. A device of the class described comprising a cabinet, a receptacle pivoted therein for forward and downward swinging, a rod extending across said cabinet under said receptacle, and an actuator mounted on said rod for swinging said receptacle forwardly, said actuator being formed of a sheet metal plate having oppositely extending arms which are bent to form bearings surrounding said rod.

4. A device of the class described comprising a cabinet, a plurality of horizontal plates in said cabinet having transverse slots opening through their front edges, vertical plates in the cabinet received in part by said slots and themselves slotted to receive portions of said horizontal plates, recep tacles in the spaces between said vertical and horizontal plates, and pivot rods for said receptacles passing through said vertical plates and the cabinet walls and securing said vertical plates in place, the horizontal plates being in turn held by said vertical plates.

5. A device of the class described comprising a cabinet, a plurality of horizontal plates in said cabinet having transverse slots opening through their front edges, vertical plates in the cabinet received in part by said slots and themselves slotted to receive portions of said horizontal plates, receptacles in the spaces between said vertical and horizontal plates, actuators for said receptacles, and mounting rods for said actuators passing through said vertical plates and the cabinet walls and securing said vertical plates in place, the horizontal plates being in turn held by said vertical plates.

6. A tilting receptacle of the class de a scribed formed of a single piece of sheet metal bent to form a bottom, a front wall bent upwardly from said bottom, a pair of side walls bent rearwardly from said front wall, a front pair of ears depending from and integral with said side walls, and a rear pair of ears bent inwardly from the lower edges of said side walls and secured to said bottom, said front ears having pivot receiving openings.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my signature.

PAUL J. GHITWOOD. 

